TV Ratings: NBC’s got ‘Talent’ for Tuesday

A new installment of “America’s Got Talent” helped NBC control Tuesday night in the key demographic, but CBS’s procedurals still narrowly won the night overall.

Among adults 18-49, NBC averaged a 2.6 rating, topping the 2.0 rating for CBS in the key demographic. FOX and ABC were a distant third with a 1.0 rating, while The CW’s 0.3 rating trailed.

Overall, though, CBS averaged an estimated 9.72 million viewers to go with a 6.3 rating/11 share, nipping the 5.8/10 (and 9.48 million viewers) for NBC. ABC was well back in third with a 2.3/4, better than NBC’s 1.8/3 or the 0.6/1 for The CW.

CBS started the night in first with a 6.7/12 for “NCIS.” An “America’s Got Talent” encore on NBC was second with a 5.2/10. ABC’s “Superstars” did a 2.7/5 in its second week, topping FOX’s airing of “Legally Blond,” plus The CW’s “90210.”

NBC burst into first at 9 p.m. thanks to a 7.5/13 for “America’s Got Talent,” which dominated the 18-49 competition as well. CBS’ “The Mentalist” was second with a 6.6/11. FOX’s movie took third, beating ABC’s “Superstars” (2.2/4) and “Better Off Ted” (1.2/2). The CW’s “Hitched or Ditched” had a 0.7/1 for fifth.

CBS moved back into the lead with a “48 Hours” special on Michael Jackson doing a 5.5/9. NBC’s “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” was second, beating ABC’s “Primetime” special, which did a 2.6/5.

All ratings information comes from preliminary Fast National Nielsen data, which includes live and same-day DVR viewing. All numbers are subject to change.